Study: Kids Get Double Antibiotics Needed

Doctors prescribe antibiotics twice as often as needed for children with common respiratory infections, a new study concludes. The study was based on 24 previous articles. They were published between 2000 and 2012. This was after the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine was approved. This vaccine has prevented many cases of childhood illness caused by bacteria. The studies looked at how often ear, throat and sinus infections were caused by bacteria. Researchers could not find any studies on nasal or lung (bronchial) infections that met their standards. They also looked at treatment guidelines. Guidelines do not recommend antibiotics in many cases for these 5 infections. Many cases are caused by viruses. Some infections caused by bacteria also may get better on their own.